Food for Thought: How to have a healthy pizza night

Tuesday

May 2, 2017 at 2:01 AM

TIP OF THE WEEKFresh ways to enjoy pizza nightDaily meal planning doesn’t have to be a chore if you turn to your freezer for a little help. In fact, starting with frozen prepared foods as the foundation of your dinner plate and adding side dishes with fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains and/or low-fat dairy can make it possible to serve a balanced meal that is quick and tasty. And that works for pizza night, too.

Here are some tips from Nestle on balancing your plate:-- Make at least half your plate fruits and vegetables.-- Figure out your portion by looking at the recommended serving size in the nutrition facts label.-- Don’t be afraid to mix vegetables right into or on top of your pizza.-- You can save even more time on side dish preparation when you choose frozen veggies.-- Bagged salad greens, spinach or salad kits are a great, speedy way to add greens to your plate.

HEALTHY EATINGThe magic of kaleKale has become one of the most popular vegetables on the block. For many, this leafy green veggie puts the “super” into superfood. But why is this so? Here are just five reasons why you should add more kale to your diet: -- Kale has been shown to reduce cholesterol, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.-- Loaded with antioxidants, kale can help protect against various kinds of cancers.-- The omega-3 fatty acids in kale can help in the fight against arthritis, asthma and autoimmune disorders.-- Many vitamins, such as vitamins A, K, D and E, are found in kale. Plus, it’s cheaper than supplements.-- Kale is chock full of potassium, which can help improve heart disease and prevent strokes, according to Today’s Dietitian.

WHOLE GRAINSWays to incorporate whole grains into your dietAre you looking to add more whole grains into your diet? Perhaps you just want some new ideas on how to incorporate whole grains into your favorite recipes. Here are some ideas from the Whole Grains Council:-- Switch half the white flour to whole wheat flour in your regular recipes for cookies, muffins, quick breads and pancakes.-- Replace one-third of the flour in a recipe with quick oats or old-fashioned oats.-- Add half a cup of cooked bulgur, wild rice or barley to bread stuffing.-- Add three-quarters of a cup of uncooked oats for each pound of ground beef or turkey when you make meatballs, burgers or meatloaf.-- Stir a handful of rolled oats into your yogurt for a quick crunch with no cooking necessary.

FUN FACTS5 nutty facts about peanut butterWhether it’s on a sandwich, in a dessert or on a piece of celery, peanut butter is a favorite among young and old. Here are five facts about peanut butter from the National Peanut Board.-- It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.-- By law, any product labeled “peanut butter” in the United States must be at least 90 percent peanuts.-- According to Little Brownie Bakers, cookie bakers use about 230,000 pounds of peanut butter per week to bake Do-si-dos and Tagalongs.-- Studies show women and children prefer creamy, while most men opt for chunky.-- People living on the East Coast prefer creamy peanut butter, while those on the West Coast prefer the crunchy style.-- Brandpoint

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